Hello,

Thanks for reaching out about your shallow lake. Submersed aquatic plants are definitely a major player in reducing algae and suspended sediments. 

However, I need to know a little more about your lake's situation to provide meaningful information. Feel free to contact me and we can discuss further: <personal data hidden> or<personal data hidden>.

In the meantime, here is a great informational video on shallow lake management. 

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Thank you very much for your response.  I watched the video and found it very interesting and informative.  However, after watching the video I am still trying to figure out what we should do about rehabilitating our 5 acre shallow pond. Can you help me with those issues, eg  a list of non invasive pond plants, how to remove the sediment without dredging etc

Hi Jeanne,

Do you have any data on your lake? This will help me understand what is happening in your lake? This will help me best help you with your questions. Here would be some helpful information:

• Lake depth
• Location
• Water clarity
• Phosphorus concentration
• Chlorophyll a
• What type of sediment is accumulating (e.g. sand, organic, etc...)?
• Are there carp or other fish present?
• Are there any inlets or outlets?
• Does it have a lot of waterfowl herbivory?
• Are there any aquatic plants present currently?
• What vegetation surrounds the pond?

Adding submersed aquatic plants in right away may not be the first step as they may not survive due to low water clarity, presence of common carp, etc... Also, submersed aquatic plants will be difficult to acquire as I am not aware of any Michigan company that sells submersed aquatic plants. You can however, consider transplanting from another nearby waterbody, but you will need to reach out to the Michigan Department of Environmental Great Lakes and Energy as you may need a permit.  https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/egle/Documents/Programs/WRD/About-Us/Staff-Land-Water-Permits.pdf. 

Here's a quick list of common aquatic plants in Michigan:

• coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum )
• muskgrasses (Chara spp.)
• common waterweed (Elodea canadensis)
• pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum)
• water star-grass (Heteranthera dubia)
• water-milfoils (Myriophyllum spp.)
• naiads (Najas flexilis, and others)
• pondweeds (Potamogeton friesii, P. praelongus, P. strictifolius, P. zosteriformis, Stuckenia spp., and others)
• submergent bulrush (Schoenoplectus subterminalis)
• bladderworts (Utricularia spp.)
• water-celery (Vallisneria americana)

~Erick